NEW! By Barry Rubin

“There have been many hundreds of books for and against Israel but no volume presenting the essential information about its domestic politics, its society, as well as its cultural life and its economy. This gap has now been filled.”—Walter Laqueur, author of A History of Zionism

"[An] essential resource for readers interested in learning the truth about the Zionist project in the 20th and 21st centuries."—Sol Stern, Commentary

“Offering in-depth perspectives with encyclopedic breadth on the makeup of the Jewish state, focusing only briefly on Israel's struggle for self-preservation. The section "History" provides a masterful summary of Israel's past from its socialist beginnings before independence to the modern struggles with the Iranian regime. . . .”—Publishers Weekly

“A well-written portrait of a vibrant nation at the center of turmoil in the region.”—Jay Freeman, Booklist

"It is indeed just a starting point, but Israel: An Introduction, if disseminated among our universities to the extent it deserves, will at least allow students of the Middle East and of Jewish history to start off on the right foot. A glimpse into the real Israel may do more for the future of U.S.-Israeli relations than any amount of rhetoric ever could."—Daniel Perez, Jewish Voice New York

Written by a leading historian of the Middle East, Israel is organized around six major themes: land and people, history, society, politics, economics, and culture. The only available volume to offer such a complete account, this book is written for general readers and students who may have little background knowledge of this nation or its rich culture.

About Me

Barry Rubin was founder of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center--now the Rubin Center--and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. See the GLORIA/MERIA site at www.rubincenter.org.

Recent Rubin Reports

Monday, October 3, 2011

A study of New York Times columns and op-eds for September finds that 14 are anti-Israel and 1 is friendly. Remember the days when newspapers carefully balanced their editorials, columns, and op-eds? That's over. Remember the days when the mass media slanted their coverage but kept the two sides in enough proportion so they could claim to be fair? That's over, too. There's no pretense any more yet millions of readers still think they are getting accurate and fair material.

Meanwhile, the former head of Pakistan's intelligence service gives a shocking interview (translated by MEMRI) making it clear that despite lavish U.S aid and Obama charisma, he and his colleagues see the United States as their enemy and align themselves with radical Islamist forces. The goal of the U.S. policy is to turn Afghanistan over to India. Remember, this isn't just some man on the street or random journalist but a powerful lieutenant general who had access to all of his country's intelligence. And naturally he is unapologetic for the safe haven given Usama bin Ladin. This is a U.S. ally?